August can be a challenging month for businesses. As the summer sun shines bright, many of your colleagues and clients are likely enjoying well-deserved vacations. The hustle and bustle of daily operations slows down, and you may find yourself facing a deafening silence. If you’re anything like me, this quiet can be unsettling—especially when you’re used to a fast-paced environment where deals are made, and projects are executed swiftly.
Last Friday was one of those days for me. The office was quiet, emails were going unanswered, phone calls went straight to voicemail, and social media engagement was sluggish. Despite my best efforts—sending out newsletters, crafting compelling social media posts, and following up on leads—nothing seemed to move the needle.
By mid-morning, around 10:30 am, I realised I needed to change my approach. Instead of staying behind my desk, staring at a screen, and hoping for responses that might not come, I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone. And when I say out of my comfort zone, I mean it—after spending 30 years managing multi-million-pound global projects from the comfort of an office, I’m not exactly what you’d call a natural-born salesperson, at least not the face-to-face kind.
Nevertheless, I knew I had to try something different. I didn’t have traditional leaflets or flyers on hand to hand out to people—those don’t align with my sustainability principles. What I did have, however, were our innovative digital coasters. These coasters are not just functional; they’re an exceptional marketing tool.
The Power of Digital Coasters
Let me explain what makes these digital coasters so special. Imagine this: you place your coffee cup on the coaster, and with just a tap of your phone, a world of information opens up right in front of you. But here’s the real kicker—I can control the information that appears on these coasters from anywhere in the world. That means I can update the content in real-time to reflect the latest developments, promotions, or content that I want to share with potential clients.
For instance, one moment, the coaster might display our latest promotional video. Half an hour later, it could be showing a new blog post. Later still, it might feature a sign-up form for a free audit. The possibilities are endless, and the beauty of this approach lies in its adaptability and sustainability. No paper waste, no static messaging—just a dynamic, interactive experience that sits right under a prospect’s nose every day, serving as a constant reminder of our brand and what we can offer.
Armed with 50 of these digital coasters, I decided to step out of the office and into the real world. My goal was simple: seek out as many “No’s” as I could. You see, there’s a concept I’ve embraced from a book called “Go for No” that has changed the way I view rejection. The idea is to actively seek out “No’s” because each “No” brings you one step closer to a “Yes.” It’s a mindset that encourages persistence and resilience, key traits for anyone in business, especially during slow periods like August.
Success is not avoiding no; it’s actively seeking it. Success is not avoiding no; it’s actively seeking it. The more no’s you hear, the closer you are to hearing a yes.
Hitting the Streets: Face-to-Face Engagement
With my target in mind, I headed out to the high street. My first stop was an estate agent’s office. To my surprise, the interaction went quite well. We had a great conversation, and this initial success gave me the confidence to keep going. Over the next two hours, I visited several estate agents, travel agents, and businesses in local industrial estates, handing out my digital coasters and engaging in conversations.
The experience was eye-opening. I realized that despite my initial apprehension, I genuinely enjoyed these face-to-face interactions. Each conversation was an opportunity to connect, to explain the unique benefits of our digital coasters, and to leave a lasting impression on potential clients.
What surprised me the most was the response I received. My goal had been to collect 10 “No’s”—a way to steel myself against rejection and keep pushing forward. However, out of all the interactions I had, I only received one “No.” The rest were positive, engaging conversations that left me feeling invigorated and optimistic. Not only did I make valuable connections, but I also had a lot of fun in the process.
Why This Approach Works
So, why does this approach work so well? It’s simple. The digital coaster is not just a coaster; it’s a conversation starter, a piece of technology that intrigues people. It’s something different, something innovative that captures attention and keeps our brand top of mind. And because the content on the coaster can be updated in real-time, it remains relevant and valuable to the recipient.
Moreover, in an age where everything seems to be moving online, there’s something refreshingly personal about face-to-face interaction. It allows you to build rapport, to gauge interest in real-time, and to leave a physical reminder of your conversation. The digital coaster serves as that reminder—a small, unobtrusive item that stays in the prospect’s space, continuously offering value and information.
Reflecting on the Experience
Reflecting on that day, I realised that stepping out of my comfort zone was exactly what I needed. The August slump may be real, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock. By trying something new, embracing a different approach, and engaging with potential clients in a more personal way, I was able to turn a quiet day into one filled with potential opportunities.
If you’re facing a similar situation this August, I encourage you to do the same. Challenge yourself to try something different. Whether it’s stepping out of the office, seeking out “No’s,” or finding innovative ways to keep your brand in front of prospects, a little creativity can go a long way.
And if you’re curious about our digital coasters and how they might help you stand out, feel free to reach out. I’d be more than happy to share more about this unique marketing tool and how it can help your business stay top of mind, even during the slowest months.
If you would like to learn more about how our innovative technology can help boost your business even in the quietest of months, have a no obligation 30 minute discussion with Mark.
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